Cummer Resources

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is committed to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education. A permanent collection of nearly 5,000 works of art on a riverfront campus offers more than 95,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities.

Welcome to our third stop in our activity series, Northern India! The item India brings us is a large illustration that belongs to a manuscript called Hamza Nama: Iskander Finds the Infant Darab in the Water. The Hamza Nama translates to the “Adventures of Hamza” and are the stories of the life of Hamza ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib. He was said to have been the uncle of Prophet Muhammad and battled demons and a wide array of other dangerous creatures.

This manuscript image in particular shows a fisherman called Iskander finding Hamza’s baby, Darab, on a raft in dangerous waters by a coast. The hint given is to look closely at the water to see the monsters and fish.

Take a look at the gorgeous illustration on the left. Then,using the outline on the right, draw your own illustration for a manuscript about your own own adventures. What would your adventure be? Where would you go? Once you’re finished with your illustration it will be time to leave India and head to Spain and Northwestern Africa!